Adjustable door stop and weatherstrip



July 28, 1964 R. G. OEHMIG ADJUSTABLE DOOR STOP AND mmzas'mn Filed April 24, 1963 Mar 6:

a j M 1 m a W $117K F @W a m L: iiim.

United States Patent 3,142,098 ADJUSTABLE DOOR STOP AND WEATHERSTRIP Robert G. Qehmig, 8059 S. Winchester, Chicago, Ill. Filed Apr. 24, 1963, Ser. No. 275,320 6 Claims. (Cl. 2t)-69) This invention relates to an adjustable unit adapted to be mounted at a fixed location along doorway framing structure to cooperate with a marginal face region of a swingable door that is mounted to the framing structure, and, more particularly, the invention is concerned with a conveniently adjustable unit of the above type for use in installations subject to variation in the spacing between the door when at closed position and the fixed mounting location of the unit on the doorway framing structure.

Mounting clearances between doorway framing structure and the door that is mounted therein may frequently vary with time due to general settling of the building and due to warping of the framing structure or of the door, or both, and the principal object of the present invention is to provide a composite unit mounted at a fixed location on the doorway framing structure and conveniently adjustable to compensate for mounting clearance variations.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an adjustable unit of this type having a fixedly mounted casing providing a mounting pocket for a seal strip that is disposed in retained engagement with the casing and that is projectable to various degrees therefrom by selective manual adjustment.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a composite adjustable unit of low cost extruded construction.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same;

FIG. 1 is a side elevational View illustrating an adjustable unit in accordance with this invention applied to door framing structure to function as a seal strip and door stop cooperating with a marginal face portion of a door swingably mounted to the framing structure; and

FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged transverse cross-sectional views taken approximately as indicated on the lines 2-2 and 33, respectively, of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, the adjustable door stop and Weatherstrip unit is designated generally at 19 in FIG. 1 and is shown applied in fixed relation to the underface of a header section 11H of door framing structure that is designated generally at 11. A portion of a door that may be swingably mounted to the door framing structure 11 is shown at 12, and, as illustrated at FIG. 2, an upper marginal face portion 12M of this door is intended to cooperate with the unit 10.

While the adjustable unit is illustrated applied to the header, similar units of this type may be applied along the side jamb sections 11] of the door framing structure, and it is also contemplated that in some instances the unit may be mounted to the door to cooperate with stationary framing structure.

When the door is initially installed and the adjustable unit It) is initially installed, these parts are established in face-to-face engagement but variations in this initial relationship may frequently occur due to warping of the door or of the door framing structure, or due to settling of the building, or variations in the mounting hinge for the door.

In accordance with this invention, a seal strip 13 of molded neoprene or equivalent material is disposed for contacting engagement with the door to act both as a Weatherstrip and as a door stop. The seal strip 13 is carried within an outer casing 14 that is attached at a fixed location on the doorway framing structure, and the invention provides mechanism for selectively adjusting the position of the seal strip 13 with respect to the casing 14 and for maintaining the seal strip stable at any selected position of adjustment.

The casing 14 is a rigid elongated element of hollow cross-sectional configuration to provide an elongated mounting pocket 14P for receiving the inner end of the seal strip 13, with the mounting pocket 14P having an elongated open side face 14F through which the seal strip projects sideways to present a cushiony exposed surface for contact with the door. The casing has a base wall 14B on the side thereof opposite to the open side face of its mounting pocket, with the base wall having openings 15 therethrough at locations in predetermined lengthwise spaced relation therealong. Finally, the casing 14 has internal rib structure extending therealong and defining a lengthwise guideway 16 (see FIG. 3) adjacent the base wall 14B and having an elongated open side face 16F opening into the mounting pocket HP.

The seal strip 13 is anchored to an elongated carrier strip 17 disposed within the mounting pocket MP for free sliding movement toward and awayfrom the base Wall 14B of the casing to thereby determine the extent to which the seal strip projects beyond the casing. The carrier strip 17 is equipped with a plurality of extensible fastener mechanisms 18 projecting generally sidewise thereof at locations in predetermined lengthwise spaced relation therealong to register in one-to-one correspondence with the openings 15 in the base wall. Each of the fastener mechanisms includes an actuator element 18A having an enlarged head 18H disposed in sidewise retained engagement in the guideway and accessible externally through the corresponding base wall opening 15 for selectively adjusting the extension of the fastener mechanisms, and hence the extent to which the seal stirp 13 projects from the casing 14.

In the preferred form of the invention shown herein for purposes of illustrative disclosure, the casing 14 is a rigid elongated one-piece thin walled extruded metal section of a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, and defines at least one open end face for the mounting pocket. The metal section has side walls 148 integrally connected to the base wall and projecting correlatively therefrom to border the mounting pocket 14P. To define the guideway 16, each of the casing side walls 148 has a lengthwise rib 19 extending internally of the casing and in adjacent spaced relation to the base wall 14B, each to define, cooperatively with the base wall 14B, an elongated internal corner recess 19C.

In the preferred form, the carrier strip 17 is also a rigid elongated one-piece thin Walled extruded metal section having a channel shaped cross-sectional configuration disposed in snug fit free sliding relation to the side walls 14S of the casing to accommodate movement relatively toward and away from the base wall 14B. The casing 14 has inward lips 14L along the free edges of its side walls 148 for mechanical interlock with the carrier strip 17, thus to limit the maximum permissible projection of the seal strip 13. Similarly, the carrier strip has edge lips 17L in pinching engagement with a midwidth region of the seal strip to restrain the strip 13 against accidental escape.

Each of the extensible fastener mechanisms 18 preferably includes a nut element 18N rigidly secured to the carrier strip 17' and carrying the actuator element 18A in rotatably threaded engagement therewith. For purposes of this disclosure, the nut element 18N is illustrated as being of a type known as a RIV-NUT.

For assembly of the adjustable unit 10 prior to installation, the guideway 16 has an open end face corresponding to that of the mounting pocket 14F, and the carrier strip 17 is enterable endwise into the mounting pocket, with the enlarged heads 18H of the actuator elements also being enterable endwise into the guideway 16 concurrently with the insertion of the carrier strip 17.

By way of example, the base wall openings are spaced twelve inches on centers as are the actuator elements 18A, and when the unit is fully assembled the actuator elements 18A are in registry with the base wall openings 15 and externally accessible by means of a screwdriver for varying the extension of the fastener mechanisms, and hence for controlling the projection of the seal strip 13.

In the illustrated arrangement, aligned openings are provided in the side walls 148 of the casing to receive a series of mounting screws 19 which, may be spaced, for example, twelve inches on centers. After the seal unit is fixed to the header or other mounting location by means of the mounting screws 19, final adjustment of the actuator elements is carried out until the desired relationship of the seal strip 13 to the door face is achieved.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated herein, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable unit adapted to be mounted at a fixed locaton along doorway framing structure to cooperate with a marginal face region of a swingable door mounted to said framing structure to function as a seal strip and door stop, said unit being adapted for use in installations subject to variation in the spacing between such location and the door, and comprising a rigid elongated casing determinative of a lengthwise direction for said unit and being of hollow transverse cross-sectional configuration providing an elongated mounting pocket having an open end face and an elongated open side face, said casing having a correspondingly elongated lengthwise base wall on a side thereof opposite to said open side face of said pocket, said base wall having openings therethrough at locations in predetermined lengthwise spaced relation therealong, said casing having internal rib structure defining cooperatively with said base wall a correspondingly elongated lengthwise guideway having an open end face corresponding to that of said pocket and having an elongated open side face opening into said pocket, and correspondingly elongated lengthwise seal strip structure having an elongated seal element on one lengthwise side that faces said elongated open side face of said mounting pocket and a plurality of extensible fastener mechanisms rigidly mounted along an opposite lengthwise side that faces said base wall to project sidewise thereof at locations in said predetermined lengthwise spaced relation to register in one-to-one correspondence with said base wall openings, each of said fastener mechanisms including an actuator element having an enlarged head enterable endwise into said guideway during entry of said seal strip structure endwise into freely slideable relation within said mounting pocket, with each enlarged head being engaged in sidewise retained relation between said rib structure and said base wall to dispose said seal element in stable selectively adjustable projecting relation through the elongated open side face of said mounting pocket.

2. An adjustable unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seal strip structure includes an elongated rigid carrier strip extending lengthwise through said pocket, an elongated seal strip anchored thereto lengthwise therealong and constituting said seal element, with each of said fastener mechanisms having its actuator element engaged in rotatably threaded relation to said carrier strip.

3. An adjustable seal unit in accordance with claim 2 wherein said casing and said carrier strip are each in the form of one-piece thin walled extruded metal sections of generally U-shaped cross-section and said carrier strip has snug fitting free sliding relation within said casing.

4. An adjustable unit adapted to be mounted at a fixed location along doorway framing structure to cooperate with a marginal face region of a swingable door mounted to said framing structure to function as a seal strip and door stop, said unit being adapted for use in installations subject to variation in the spacing between such location and the door and comprising a rigid elongated casing determinative of a lengthwise direction for said unit and being of a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration providing an elongated mounting pocket having open end faces and a lengthwise elongated open side face extending between said end faces, said casing having a correspondingly elongated lengthwise base wall and side walls rigid therewith and projecting correlatively therefrom to border said mounting pocket, said base wall having openings therethrough at locations in predetermined lengthwise spaced relation therealong, said side walls having lengthwise ribs internally of said casing and conjointly defining therein a correspondingly elongated lengthwise guideway having open end faces and a lengthwise elongated open side face opening into said pocket, a correspondingly elongated lengthwise rigid carrier strip enterable endwise into the mounting pocket of said casing through an end face thereof to extend substantially full length therein in snug fit free sliding relation to said side walls to move relatively toward and away from said base wall, said carirer strip having an elongated seal strip anchored thereto lengthwise therealong and projecting sidewise therefrom to extend through the open side face of said casing, said side walls having correspondingly lengthwise elongated inward lips bordering the open side face of said casing and providing a mechanical interlock limiting sidewise movement of said carrier strip, and a plurality of extensible fastener mechanisms rigidly mounted on said carrier strip to project sidewise therefrom at locations in predetermined lengthwise spaced relation therealong to register in one-to-one correspondence with said base wall openings, each of said fastener mechanisms including an actuator element having an enlarged head enterable endwise into said guideway in sidewise retained engagement with said ribs during entry of said carrier strip into said mounting pocket through an end face thereof.

5. An adjustable unit adapted to be mounted at a fixed location along doorway framing structure to cooperate with a marginal face region of a swingable door mounted to said framing structure to function as a seal strip and door stop, said unit being adapted for use in installations subject to variation in the spacing between such location and the door and comprising a rigid elongated one-piece thin walled extruded metal casing determinative of a lengthwise direction for said unit and being of a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration providing an elongated mounting pocket having open end faces and a lengthwise elongated open side face extending between said end faces, said casing having a correspondingly elongated lengthwise base wall and side walls integrally connected to and projecting correlatively therefrom to border said mounting pocket, said base wall having openings therethrough at locations in predetermined lengthwise spaced relation therealong, each of said casing sidewalls having a lengthwise rib internally of said casing and in adjacent spaced relation to said base wall to define cooperatively therewith a lengthwise elongated internal corner recess, a correspondingly elongated lengthwise rigid carrier strip having a channel shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration enterable endwise into the mounting pocket of said casing through an end face thereof to extend substantially full length therein in sung fit free sliding relation to said side walls to move relatively toward and away from said base wall, said carrier strip having an elongated seal strip anchored therein lengthwise therealong and projecting sidewise therefrom to extend through the open side face of said casing, and a plurality of extensible fastener mechanisms rigidly mounted on said carrier strip to project sidewise therefrom at locations in predetermined lengthwise spaced relation therealong to register with said base wall openings when said carrier strip is disposed within said mounting pocket, each of said fastener mechanisms including an actuator element having an enlarged head enterable endwise into sidewise retained engagement in said corner recesses during endwise entry of said carrier strip into said mounting pocket through an end face thereof.

6. An adjustable unit adapted to be mounted at a fixed location along doorway framing structure to cooperate with a marginal face region of a swingable door mounted to said framing structure to function as a seal strip and door stop, said unit being adapted for use in installations subject to variation in the spacing between such location and the door and comprising a rigid elongated one-piece thin walled extruded metal casing determinative of a lengthwise direction for said unit and being of a generally U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration providing an elongated mounting pocket having open end faces and a lengthwise elongated open side face extending between said end faces, said casing having a correspondingly elongated lengthwise base wall and side walls integrally connected to and projecting correlatively therefrom to border said mounting pocket, said base wall having openings therethrough at locations in predetermined lengthwise spaced relation therealong, each of said casing sidewalls having a lengthwise rib internally of said casing and in adjacent spaced relation to said base wall to define cooperatively therewith a lengthwise elongated internal corner recess, a correspondingly elongated lengthwise rigid carrier strip having a channel shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration enterable endwise into the mounting pocket of said casing through an end face thereof to extend substantially full length therein in snug fit free sliding relation to said side walls to move relatively toward and away from said base wall, said carrier strip having an elongated seal strip enchored therein lengthwise therealong and projecting sidewise therefrom to extend through the open side face of said casing, said side walls having correspondingly lengthwise elongated inward lips bordering the open side face of said casing and providing a mechanical interlock limiting sidewise movement of said carrier strip, and a plurality of extensible fastener mechanisms rigidly mounted on said carrier strip to project sidewise therefrom at locations in predetermined lengthwise spaced relation therealong to register in oneto-one correspondence with said base wall openings, each of said fastener mechanism including an actuator element engaged in rotatably threaded relation to said carrier strip, said actuator element having a stem medially of said ribs and an enlarged head accessible through a corresponding base wall opening and projecting into said corner recesses to maintain the carrier strip in sidewise adjustable stable position within said casing.

Schwerak Sept. 20, 1955 Leto Apr. 26, 1960 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE UNIT ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED AT A FIXED LOCATION ALONG DOORWAY FRAMING STRUCTURE TO COOPERATE WITH A MARGINAL FACE REGION OF A SWINGABLE DOOR MOUNTED TO SAID FRAMING STRUCTURE TO FUNCTION AS A SEAL STRIP AND DOOR STOP, SAID UNIT BEING ADAPTED FOR USE IN INSTALLATIONS SUBJECT TO VARIATION IN THE SPACING BETWEEN SUCH LOCATION AND THE DOOR, AND COMPRISING A RIGID ELONGATED CASING DETERMINATIVE OF A LENGTHWISE DIRECTION FOR SAID UNIT AND BEING OF HOLLOW TRANSVERSE CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION PROVIDING AN ELONGATED MOUNTING POCKET HAVING AN OPEN END FACE AND AN ELONGATED OPEN SIDE FACE, SAID CASING HAVING A CORRESPONDINGLY ELONGATED LENGTHWISE BASE WALL ON A SIDE THEREOF OPPOSITE TO SAID OPEN SIDE FACE OF SAID POCKET, SAID BASE WALL HAVING OPENINGS THERETHROUGH AT LOCATIONS IN PREDETERMINED LENGTHWISE SPACED RELATION THEREALONG, SAID CASING HAVING INTERNAL RIB STRUCTURE DEFINING COOPERATIVELY WITH SAID BASE WALL A CORRESPONDINGLY ELONGATED LENGTHWISE GUIDEWAY HAVING AN OPEN END FACE CORRESPONDING TO THAT OF SAID POCKET AND HAVING AN ELONGATED OPEN SIDE FACE OPENING INTO SAID POCKET, AND CORRESPONDINGLY ELONGATED LENGTHWISE SEAL STRIP STRUCTURE HAVING AN ELONGATED SEAL ELEMENT ON ONE LENGTHWISE SIDE THAT FACES SAID ELONGATED OPEN SIDE FACE OF SAID MOUNTING POCKET AND A PLURALITY OF EXTENSIBLE FASTENER MECHANISMS RIGIDLY MOUNTED ALONG AN OPPOSITE LENGTHWISE SIDE THAT FACES SAID BASE WALL TO PROJECT SIDEWISE THEREOF AT LOCATIONS IN SAID PREDETERMINED LENGTHWISE SPACED RELATION TO REGISTER IN ONE-TO-ONE CORRESPONDENCE WITH SAID BASE WALL OPENINGS, EACH OF SAID FASTENER MECHANISMS INCLUDING AN OPENINGS, EACH OF SAID FASTENER MECHANISMS INCLUDING AN ACTUATOR ELEMENT HAVING AN ENLARGED HEAD ENTERABLE ENDWISE INTO SAID GUIDEWAY DURING ENTRY OF SAID SEAL STRIP STRUCTURE ENDWISE INTO FREELY SLIDEABLE RELATION WITHIN SAID MOUNTING POCKET, WITH EACH ENLARGED HEAD BEING ENGAGED IN SIDEWISE RETAINED RELATION BETWEEN SAID RIB STRUCTURE AND SAID BASE WALL TO DISPOSE SAID SEAL ELEMENT IN STABLE SELECTIVELY ADJUSTABLE PROJECTING RELATION THROUGH THE ELONGATED OPEN SIDE FACE OF SAID MOUNTING POCKET. 